Fairbanks boys basketball coach Justin George watches the action during a game in this file photo. George stepped down from the position Wednesday afternoon. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
There will be a changing of the guard at the top of the Fairbanks High School boys basketball program.
Justin George, who guided the Panthers for the past six seasons, informed his team Wednesday afternoon he is stepping down from the head coaching position.
“It was a difficult decision to make,” said George. “It wasn’t easy by any means.
“However, there were some changes needed in the program from different aspects.”
George, a 2003 graduate of FHS, took over as head coach on the first day of practice for the 2015-16 season.
The previous head coach, Brad Gemrek, resigned without warning that afternoon.
George, who had previously served as the Panthers’ junior varsity coach, took over the top position.
FHS limped its way to a 4-19 record that winter.
George, however, guided Fairbanks to double-digit victories in each of the next five campaigns and finished with a 76-64 record.
“I enjoyed coaching the team and we had some good aspects of the program,” he said.
The Panthers captured a pair of Ohio Heritage Conference North Division titles under George’s guidance.
Fairbanks finished the 2020-21 season with a 16-7 record.
It was a campaign that George said was difficult, due to all the coronavirus pandemic guidelines.
George began his coaching career at Fairbanks in the fall of 2007.
He graduated from the University of Mount Union that spring and played basketball for two years with the Purple Raiders.
George began coaching at the middle school level before becoming junior varsity coach.
“I’ve coached every level at Fairbanks except freshmen,” he said.
George will continue in his roles as a sixth-grade math instructor and assistant athletic director in the district.
“This will allow me to focus more on the classroom and my role within the athletic department,” he said.